County of Kings Superior Court
Hanford, CA
Within the constructed landscape, the new Kings County Courthouse will present itself as a territory within a landscape. It will have its own clearly defined edges and presence while still harmonizing with its immediate surroundings.
The transition between residential and commercial zoning challenged the project to create its own rhythm and orientation that will affect the future development of the area. The building is placed near the south-east corner of the site in proximity to the existing jail facility. This relationship allows for the two buildings to be connected by extending the existing underground tunnel.
The design team oriented the building on an east-west axis to capitalize on the energy-reducing advantages of this solar orientation. This passive technique reduces the heat load in the summer and allows the sun to come in during the winter, thereby helping to achieve the overall energy efficiency goals of the project. Additionally, the orientation is aesthetically advantageous, providing a view to the mountains from all north facing offices while keeping the jail primarily out of view.
The courthouse building itself is organized as a simple 4 courtroom-per-floor bar building, with chambers and other services attached to the back side for relatively close access to the courtrooms. Off of the atrium are all counters for each department, creating an open and accessible area for the high traffic volume.
All department and building functions feed off of the separate, secure corridor to the north. A partial basement houses the central holding facility which is accessed only by the northwest stair and the in-custody elevators located between courtrooms. This approach optimizes efficiency by accommodating, through relative adjacencies, the various functional interrelationships of these components while directly enhancing ease of access and security.
The courthouse is expected to be completed by early 2013.
College of the Desert - Student Services Center Palm Desert, CA
This LEED-Certified student services center was designed as an open, inviting edifice that stretches its arms to the community, fits within the context of the existing campus buildings, and allows for easy access to the students with multiple points of entry. It serves as a “front door” drawing visitors to the heart of the campus, and provides a convenient one-stop location for several student services.
The dramatic glass entrance lobby transforms into a glowing lantern at night, which serves as a beacon and facilitates wayfinding. The entrance is shaped like the open pages of a book and allows for views into the main lobby atrium, while the vertical articulation of the deep-set windows of the building responds to the desert conditions and the character of the existing buildings.
Moorpark Police Services Station Moorpark, CA
The Moorpark Police Services Center fuses multiple law enforcement agencies within one cohesive building envelope. In addition to housing both the Ventura County Sheriff and the California Highway Patrol, the Center also serves as the community’s Emergency Operations Center for disaster relief. Prominently situated at the gateway to Historic Downtown Moorpark, the Center welcomes the public with a broad, entry plaza and fruit tree orchard at the corner of the site.
Designing with LEED sustainable design standards in mind, DLR Group WWCOT employed green building methods that facilitate public transportation usage, maximize interior daylighting, and utilizes recycled materials in order to provide a comfortable building that minimizes impact on its immediate environment.
LAPD West Valley Police Station Reseda, CA
Developed from a prototype that DLR Group WWCOT designed for the new generation of LAPD facilities, this 61,500 square-foot new police station contains law enforcement operations, evidence storage, administrative offices, community room, exercise and locker room, holding cells, vehicle maintenance and fueling facility, and helipad atop a 330-car parking structure. Located on an existing civic campus, the station’s functional design emphasizes police and community interaction alongside traditional law enforcement activities. Situating the station close to the street edge at its main entrance along Vanowen Street brings law enforcement closer to the community.
The first floor contains a large public lobby and reception area adjacent to an outdoor courtyard and community room, which will be used by civic organizations for neighborhood gatherings.
LAPD Mission Area Police Station Mission Hills, CA
This new 50,250 square-foot police station contains law enforcement operations, evidence storage, administrative spaces, community room, exercise and locker room, holding cells, vehicle fueling and maintenance facility, and a 321-car parking structure.
Keeping the design within the local context, DLR Group WWCOT drew inspiration from two nearby historic buildings: the San Fernando Mission and the Pico Andres Adobe. The resulting visual character of the Station is defined by strong, simple masses with solid walls and punched openings. In order to control costs, greater articulation and detail, and upgraded hardscape and landscape materials are concentrated at the entry court and adjacent public spaces, and to a lesser degree, at the staff entry at the rear of the building.
LAPD Metro Bomb Squad Los Angeles, CA
In response to the surge of threats and bomb scares after 9/11, the Metro Bomb Squad Facility was designed to provide first-responders with state-of-the-art emergency response, explosives handling training, and technical operations. The flexible design accommodates future space requirements, new technology developments and training techniques, and staff increases to the year 2030.
Exterior finishes take their cues from the industrial context: painted metal and stucco, corrugated siding, and vandal-protected glazing. Two colors of plaster, similar in hue to the officers’ bomb suits, create a restrained pattern on the front elevation. Expressive metal louvers and staggered clerestory window patterns allude to bomb shrapnel and add character to the elevations while providing users with both visual protection and natural light.
